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Caribbean mystery bowler Sunil Narine is an Indian Premier League (IPL) legend and not just Kolkata Knight Riders's (KKR). However, Narine has had a slump of late as he is trying to find his place in the new-look KKR lineup which has plenty of spinners. The slump may be because of remodelled action but former West Indies batter has suggested that Narine may benefit from a change of franchise.
"He has had major challenges with remodelling of his action. He had to do (it) on a continuous basis, he has been called and warned a few times. He had to step out of international cricket because of that scrutiny," Ganga said during an interaction at the sidelines of a Cricviz event.
Narine has been at the centre of KKR’s two title wins in IPL 2012 and IPL 2014. This season, it is not the lack of wickets that is hurting KKR but his economy rate of 8.61 runs per over. Even when he wasn’t taking wickets, he tied down batters forcing them to take more risks against other bowlers.
"But for me Sunil Narine is still a formidable force, maybe, him taking a shift in franchise might freshen him up and his impact, who knows?" Ganga said as Narine is now a part of a trio of spinners at KKR.
"Sunil Narine is operating in a KKR team where he's got two additional spinners. That was never the case before. He operated primarily with (Varun) Chakravarthy. But now, he's got to operate with Suyash Sharma (as well), which makes it a little bit different for him as a player," said the 44-year-old.
However, Ganga feels that Narine has been consistent with his line and lengths. He also revealed that he had a conversation with the 34-year-old.
"I've had the chance to speak with him. The lack of success that they’ve experienced as a team has put a lot more pressure on him as a bowler because defending smaller totals, he’s got to bowl in situations where conditions are very good for batting.
"We saw that Kolkata is one of the best batting venues in the IPL. So, he’s also playing in a side where he’s bowling amongst other spinners which are successful.
"If you take three spinners in a complement of five bowlers in a T20 innings someone is not going to perform in terms of taking wickets. His economy has been very similar to Chakravarthy and Sharma - they are beneficiaries while he is operating alongside them," he concluded.
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